The Dangers of Trampoline Parks
NBC6 recently published an investigation that highlights the risks of visiting a trampoline park. (A trampoline park is just what you think. It’s an indoor fitness facility with wall-to-wall trampolines, where kids and adults go to bounce around and have fun.)
Investigators examined 911 calls made from South Florida trampoline parks in the last two years. There were almost 300 calls about injuries and at least 70 incidents where paramedics came. Examples of accidents include:
- Sprained and broken ankles or other body parts
- Torn ligaments
- Accidents caused by one person jumping on top of another person, and
- Head injuries.
In fact, a 2016 study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that trampoline-related injuries have increased over the past few years, and that trampoline use is especially dangerous for children.
Trampoline Park Injuries
Two years ago, a young girl (who is now 13 years old) was jumping at a trampoline park in Coconut Creek. Someone jumped on her ankle as she was landing, which caused her ankle to break. She says the injury required two surgeries and her scar is still visible.
In 2012, Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain almost died from an accident at an indoor trampoline park in Florida, where he was playing with his son. He suffered an open dislocation (the bone was sticking through his skin) in his ankle and lost so much blood that some feared for his life. Thankfully he survived the incident, and his son wasn’t injured.
Can I Sue the Trampoline Park for My Injuries?
As with any personal injury lawsuit, whether the trampoline park is liable for your injuries depends on the circumstances. If the park or park employees acted negligently, then you might have a viable claim. For example, if the park failed to properly supervise guests, didn’t post required safety rules, or didn’t repair defective equipment, then you could probably recover damages.
But it’s tricky when guests are required to sign a liability waiver. However, not all liability waivers are enforceable, and not all waivers hold up under all situations. That’s why you should always talk to an experienced attorney, who can examine the facts of your case and determine the best legal strategy.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Florida
There are two important things to keep in mind before filing a personal injury lawsuit in Florida:
- You only have four years from the date of the injury to file your lawsuit.
- Florida is a pure comparative negligence state, which means that damages are apportioned based on the parties’ percentage of fault. This includes plaintiffs, who might be at least partly to blame for their own injuries. This could certainly be a factor in trampoline park incidents, especially if you don’t follow the safety rules.
Contact Us Today
Contact a Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney at The Pendas Law Firm today for a free consultation if you are injured at a trampoline park. We will help you seek compensation for your injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Daytona Beach and Bradenton areas.
Resources:
nbcmiami.com/news/local/Trampoline-Parks-Linked-to-Hundreds-of-Injuries-in-South-Florida–488339511.html
deadspin.com/5895990/joba-chamberlain-nearly-bled-out-on-the-floor-of-rebounderz
nbcmiami.com/news/local/Trampoline-Parks-Linked-to-Hundreds-of-Injuries-in-South-Florida–488339511.html
pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/early/2016/07/28/peds.2016-1236.full.pdf
